Anesthetic Procedure
Comprehensive Overview of Techniques Performed by Anesthesiologists
General Anesthesia Techniques
Intravenous Induction
Administration of IV anesthetic agents (propofol, etomidate, ketamine) to rapidly induce unconsciousness.
Inhalation Induction
Using volatile anesthetics (sevoflurane, halothane) via mask for induction, common in pediatric anesthesia.
Balanced Anesthesia
Combination of IV and inhaled agents with opioids and muscle relaxants to optimize anesthesia conditions.
Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA)
Anesthesia maintained solely with IV agents, often using target-controlled infusion pumps.
Regional Anesthesia Techniques
Spinal Anesthesia
Injection of local anesthetic into subarachnoid space for procedures below the umbilicus especially Lower limb procedures.
Epidural Anesthesia
Catheter placement in epidural space for continuous anesthesia/analgesia, commonly used in labor and postoperative pain.
Peripheral Nerve Blocks
Targeted anesthesia of specific nerves/plexuses (e.g., brachial plexus, femoral nerve) for extremity surgery.
Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia
Real-time ultrasound visualization to improve accuracy and safety of nerve blocks.
Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (Bier Block)
Exsanguination and tourniquet application with local anesthetic injection for limb procedures.
Airway Management Techniques
Endotracheal Intubation
Placement of breathing tube through trachea using direct or video laryngoscopy.
Supraglottic Airway Placement
Insertion of devices (LMA, i-gel) above vocal cords without tracheal intubation.
Fiberoptic Intubation
Flexible bronchoscope-guided intubation for difficult airways.
Rapid Sequence Intubation
Simultaneous administration of induction agent and paralytic with cricoid pressure to minimize aspiration risk.
Video Laryngoscopy
Use of video-enabled laryngoscopes (Glidescope, C-MAC) for difficult intubations.
Difficult Airway Algorithm
It is a structured, evidence-based decision tree designed to guide the anesthesiologist through management of difficult airways.
Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC)
Conscious Sedation
Administration of sedatives (midazolam, propofol) with analgesics (fentanyl) for minor procedures.
Deep Sedation
Profound sedation where patients may require airway support but are not intubated.
Procedural Sedation
Tailored sedation for specific procedures (endoscopy, cardioversion) outside operating room.
Pain Management Procedures
Epidural Steroid Injections
Corticosteroid administration into epidural space for radicular pain management.
Facet Joint Injections
Diagnostic and therapeutic injections for spinal facet-mediated pain.
Sympathetic Blocks
Targeted blockade of sympathetic ganglia for CRPS and vascular pain syndromes.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
Implantable devices for chronic neuropathic pain management.
Acute Pain Service Management
Multimodal analgesia techniques including PCA, epidural infusions, and regional blocks.
Specialized Techniques
Hypotensive Anesthesia
Deliberate reduction of blood pressure to decrease surgical bleeding.
Hypothermia Management
Induced hypothermia for neuroprotection during cardiac surgery or therapeutic hypothermia post-cardiac arrest.
One-Lung Ventilation
Isolation of one lung using double-lumen tubes or bronchial blockers for thoracic surgery.
Cell Salvage
Intraoperative collection and reinfusion of patient's own blood.
Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)
Real-time cardiac imaging during surgery for hemodynamic monitoring.
